Travel tips
Safety and emergency numbers
The single emergency number is 112, operating nationwide since 2025. Uzbekistan is a calm country to travel in; the main risks are traffic, summer heat and pickpockets in crowds.
Who to call
112 is the single emergency number. The unified 112 dispatch service, set up by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 304 of 29 May 2024, connects the police, the Emergencies Ministry, the Health Ministry, the National Social Protection Agency and the gas emergency service Hududgaztaminot. According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies, it has been fully operational in every region since March 2025.
The traditional short numbers are still widely known: 101 for fire, 102 for police, 103 for an ambulance and 104 for gas emergencies. Calls are free.
Operators usually speak Russian; if English is a struggle, ask your hotel or guide to help.
General safety
Violent crime against tourists is rare. In crowded bazaars, the metro and railway stations, keep an eye on your wallet and phone.
Traffic is the biggest hazard: drivers do not always give way to pedestrians, so cross only at designated crossings and with care. Wear a seat belt in taxis.
Carry your passport at all times and keep a copy on your phone and on paper.
Restrictions
Photographing military sites, border posts and some government buildings is prohibited. Border areas with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan may require a special permit — plan mountain and desert trips with a local guide.
In summer, daytime temperatures in Bukhara, Khiva and Termez can top 40°C: avoid long stretches in the midday sun and drink plenty of water.
Sources
Information checked as of 20 October 2026. Rules change — confirm with official sources before you travel.